Life Of Pi (Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield, Personal)

 🌟 Life Of Pi 🌟

09 September 2023 at 7:45pm at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

★★★★

It is an absolute pleasure to be able to return to this invigorating performance of Max Webster's Life Of Pi, previously watching this stage adaptation last year at the Wyndham's Theatre, London. Although this remains the same production, minor changes are noticeable between the runs, whether to benefit the tour's staging, or enhance the visuals of stage magic. It allows me to question at times whether this play is suited to the touring style. Nevertheless, I really appreciate seeing Life Of Pi showcasing it's talents and poignant story across the country. This play really embodies the spirit of a tiger, roaring onto stage with a tension to hold the auditorium in awe. A triumph that will easily take every single venue by storm.

Adapted from the novel by Yann Martel, the story follows a teenage boy from Pondicherry, India, who is forced to relocate with his family to Canada. After a tempestuous journey via cargo boat, Pi becomes isolated after a devastating shipwreck, leaving him fighting for his life with tiger Richard Parker aboard a lifeboat. An unlikely bond develops between man and beast, embodying power and spirit to defy the odds when life is at stake. 

The opening of the play sets the immediate tone with an atmosphere of love amongst family, albeit beginning with a slower pace of action. The setting is non-linear, jumping between Pi's recollection of events, and a Mexican hospital, where he is hounded by researchers to form a credible story. I am particularly impressed by Lilian Tsang's performance as Mrs Okamoto, who is irritatingly unlikeable from her wicked persistence to draw a 'believable' story out. Tsang really delivers a dynamism alongside Subaskaran's Pi, that challenges the audience's ideas of faith and trust.

Starring as Pi, Divesh Subaskaran gives everything you could ever want from the role. It is enchanting to see his progression across the show, as he begins with a bouncy naivety, and begins to learn patience and maturity in order to survive, aided by the revolving support and memories of his family. Act 1 represents Pi's loveable side, though Act 2 proves far more investing in the way that he develops dominance, equality even, against Richard Parker, and this admiration of Pi really helps to connect audiences emotionally. The intimate bond they share increases, and really becomes the showstopper that we will remember.

The puppetry team* are simply exquisite. There is no other word for it. Finn Caldwell's puppetry direction gives life to the animals, creating frighteningly realistic creatures that respond with every breath, every twitch, every ounce of pain in unbelievable likeness. The design of the animals utilises a driftwood appearance, to mimic the tragically broken ship, as the animals share Pi's journey. From even the earliest moments, death is represented through the puppets, and it amazes me how suddenly an animal can go from life to a hollow shell, producing such tormenting stage images. The first introduction to the Patel's zoo is incredibly fun, as we are introduced to the puppets. However, it has the potential too feel more like a showcase of work, rather than directly effecting the point. It doesn't disrupt the enjoyment of the show, though in terms of how the story flows, it can become slightly disjointed.

Additionally, Richard Parker has a scene of anthropomorphism, adopting a French accent (Antony Antunes) in an oddly cynical conversation with Pi. It takes a little bit of time to get into it, however I left the theatre with a huge respect for this scene, and Antunes' comedy skill to move away from the static nature of being out at sea. Performed by Keshini Mishi, Pi's sister Rani holds a wonderfully bright spark as we gain insight into the family's life, and this excitability is vividly important to hold some of the positive and comedic lines, to contradict the remainder of the play.

My absolute highlight of Life Of Pi is the scripting, written by Lolita Chakrabarti. This is something which I found increased adoration for the second time around. Across the play, there are some incredibly beautiful sequences of text, as well as more emotional monologues, memorably delivered by a panic-stricken Father (Ralph Birtwell). Each line resonates with such intense emotion, no throw away lines where even silences are placed to heighten tensions.

To develop an atmosphere, Carolyn Downing's sound design transports you to worlds away from the auditorium. You could close your eyes and truly be immersed within each location. Perhaps the biggest change from Life Of Pi's Wyndham's run is the change in setting, from a thrust staging to a currently end-on, designed by Tim Hatley. Originally, there only featured a back wall, however walls have been implemented either side of the stage to cover the wings. In some instances, this is really functional, particularly the Indian marketplace to heighten the bustling community. However, I found these walls to be slightly detrimental for ocean scenes, mostly in Act 2. Personally, it removes the essence of the 'open sea' and creates quite an enclosed area. Seeing the previous version staging may encourage me to be slightly more critical, however I felt the spirit of being alone feels more lost with the touring production.

Although I don't feel that Life Of Pi is quite as suited to touring life, it still remains the production that I fell in love with on first watch. The storytelling is rich, and carries unbelievably important messages. The story is heart-wrenching, and I think whether you have seen the 2012 film, or not (in my case), the level of creativity and craftsmanship will blow your mind!

Full tour dates and tickets available here: https://lifeofpionstage.com/

*Full cast list, to avoid incorrect credentials with puppeteers: https://lifeofpionstage.com/cast-creatives

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